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Post Your Comments - You can post anonymously if you would like. Simply put "Anonymous" for your name.

5/23/2012

Let me know what you think. Share your story or parts of it, your experience with the system, offer some support, just vent, ask for help.......

12 Comments

Paulette McGuire

06/27/2012 6:39pm

Donna, Thank you for your time and effort in helping to keep this very important issue in front of the public.Your guidance and support as a Volunteer Victim Advocate helps the entire community and hopfully eases your pain as well as other. Paulette

Donna Ferres

07/05/2012 8:09am

Thank you Paulette for your kind words. It is always nice to hear. As an Advocate for Victims of Crime I strive to assure their rights are not violated in the court room. And each time a guilty verdict is announced I heal a little more knowing that our streets will be safer.

michele

07/01/2012 7:01pm

Saw you on I Survived years ago. and met you at the FMRWC.
Truly is an inspiring story!

Donna Ferres

07/06/2012 6:53am

Of course, Michele, I remember you. Thank you so much for taking the time to write. It always touches me to know that I have touched someone with my story. Keep up your good work with the FMRWC.

Grateful

08/01/2012 9:27am

Thanks for the incredibly helpful site and for sharing your experience.

Donna Ferres

08/03/2012 8:37am

Hello Bloggers: Today, August 3rd, 1979, I was brutally raped, beaten, stabbed and left to die on a desolate gravel road. People often ask, "Donna, how did you survive?" To be honest, if you have read my book you would know that as I lay bleeding to death, a Dog barked in the distance. If not for that I would never have found my way to safety. I've learned that a simple act of kindness goes a long way. To my friend who helped me find my way to safety, I say this; without you I would not have seen the sun rise or set again, or smell the sweet aroma of flowers that bloom in the spring, or hear children's laughter; I wouldn't feel the comforting arms of a friend or see the pain in someone's eyes, I wouldn't have been able to tell my Mom, I Love You. Mostly, I would not have been able to pay my life forward to help others. Today I honor all angels who have served to save someone when no one was looking. Join me to honor someone on my site.

Donna Ferres

11/13/2012 8:00am

Roadway renamed in honor of homicide victim

Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) issued a proclamation Oct. 20 renaming a five-mile stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties in honor of Croom homicide victim Stephanie Roper.
The new Stephanie Roper Highway will run from what is now Pennsylvania Avenue at Water Street in Upper Marlboro to Bay Front Road in Bristol.
Roper was kidnapped and murdered in 1982 after her car broke down when returning home from dropping off a friend in Brandywine. Her death led her parents, Roberta and Vince Roper, to form the Stephanie Roper Foundation, now known as the Upper Marlboro-based Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center.
MCVRC founder and chairwoman of the board of directors Roberta Roper said the renaming, which “was a complete surprise” to her and Vince Roper, marks the 30th anniversary both of her daughter’s death and the founding of her organization.
“We are both humbled and proud,” Roper said. “...But credit has to go to our very dedicated staff who are working down in the trenches and advocating for crime victims.”
MCVRC Executive Director Russell P. Butler said in a statement that the Roper family “put crime victims’ rights and services on the Maryland and national map.”
“The State of Maryland has appropriately recognized the efforts of the Ropers by renaming part of [Pennsylvania Avenue] and placed Stephanie Roper’s name on the Maryland State Highway Map.”
State Highway Administration employees are scheduled to install the new Stephanie Roper Highway signs within the next week.

I am honored to know Roberta Roper. She personally helped guide me through the emotional rollercoaster of our Judicial System. She played a large role in educating me of my rights as a victim at a time when victims had no voice, according to the law. Only criminals rights were defended. Thanks to her I was able to make my voice heard when the Prosecutor was moving forward with a Plea Deal without my input. By chance I learned of this and went face to face with the Prosecutor and demanded he at least hear my pleas for Justice.
I thank Roberta every day for giving me the strength, perseverance and empowerment to stand tall and fight for justice. It worked!!!
Thanks to her and all the work she has achieved and all the victims she has helped, I am proud to say my attacker will spend the rest of his life behind bars for the crime he committed against me. Thank you friend…

Anonymous

11/14/2012 6:18am

I am finishing your book and all I can say is wow! I have lots of respect for you (even more than before). I too was saved by a dog during an attack. In college I had a stalker/rapist break into my apartment with his ski mask and 9 mm gun. Between my hysterics and my attacking flat coated retriever dog he retreated. I moved and he was outside my new apartment and raped my downstairs neighbor off my back porch. I am so lucky and even though I wasn't "officially" attacked I still experienced post traumatic anytime I saw someone with a ski mask on (on tv or skiing up north.) I had to drop evening classes as I was afraid in the dark. The police were going to move me to a safe house but the guy was eventually caught (only after raping and shooting other women). Sorry to give you my life story. Just wanted to say that your strength is an inspiration

Donna Ferres

11/16/2012 10:33am

Dear Readers, many people have come to me over the years and have expressed adoring comments regarding my achievements. Also, many have shared with me a traumatic event that has occurred in their life. Most often people will say, "Donna, it's nothing like what you went through." I want you to know that any trauma that continues to linger vividly is enough to know that our experiences may not be the same but the feelings of traumatic stress carry with it all the same emotions. I'm a great listener and the stories I hear are in such detail that I know they are reliving those moments as they speak of their event. Please continue to share your experience without trepidation. I can promise you, people are eager to listen. By sharing, it helps others to be more 'safety cautious.' Join me to help eliminate opportunity from the predators and empower ourselves, our young and our old to live safely in a world of uncertainty.
I hope that you will share your story. Sign in anonymous, if you prefer. Your story is important to me and it may just help another person that needs to know they are not alone.

Alexandra

11/26/2012 6:38pm

Dear Donna, I have been doing some research online the past few hours on rape statistics and stories of victims and I feel like I was meant to discover your website at this moment for a reason! I have been browsing your site and I cannot wait to begin reading your book as soon as I finish this email. This upcoming Monday, November 26, I will be in Tallahassee delivering my impact statement in court for the sentencing of the man who raped me at knifepoint in my apartment while I was a student at FSU 2 and a half years ago. I testified in the trial back in July and the jury found him guilty on all charges in the case. It was such an emotional day for me but I will never forget how empowering it felt the moment the verdict was read. I was actually sitting next to one of the other women (who is 72 years old) that he had also raped 2 weeks before me. 2 weeks before her, he had raped a 17 year old girl, and his DNA was linked in both of our cases. In addition to seeing him put away for life, there is nothing else I want more, than to help educate women to report rape and seek justice. Monday will be the most important day of my life and it means so much to me to be able to spend these next few days reading your book. I feel like my experience has defined a similar purpose for me in life, to help other victims of rape and have a positive impact on their lives. I look forward to learning everything I possibly can about your story and I want to thank you for being such a personal inspiration. http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/97426639.html
Sincerely, Alexandra

Donna Ferres

11/26/2012 6:44pm

Dear Alexandra,
I'm so delighted to have received your very empowering email. I'm additionally moved that my web site was helpful to you. I have been a non profit private advocate for sexual assault victims for over 15 years. It was very hard fighting a system that favored criminal rights over victim rights. I took a stand and helped many who were intimidated and scared to move forward and face their attacker. With my help and genuine passion for what is right, each one of my victims/survivors stood before the Judge and read their impact statements. Of the twelve cases I had, all but one got Long Sentences. All do to the victims involvement to seek Justice.
Alexandra, I'm so very proud of you. Your perseverance and determination to see that Justice be served is a testament of your character and will. Two and half years ago a rapist took something from you that was sacred and innocent. You have been able to turn that around and take that power back. To hear the words of your email are strong and positive.
Stand tall on Monday and read your impact statement loud and clear so that the last bench of people in the gallery can hear your every word. Speak slow and precise and move the Judge with your words. He/she will have the last word. I always advise my survivors to point out to the Judge, "Your Honor please put this rapist away for the maximum allowed under law. His incarceration will help rid the streets of this predator and allow us all to feel safer."
In closing, I reiterate, I'm so very proud of you. You have my email address and can contact me any time you would like. I will always be here for you. My presence will be with you in spirit on Monday. As you stand before the Judge know that you are standing for the many who can't stand for themselves. You are a good example of where our future is going.
Would it be ok with you if I added your email to my blog? It may help another person looking for that inner strength to seek justice in their case.
With sincere admiration,
Donna J. Ferres

Donna Ferres link

04/27/2013 9:02am

It's Victim's Rights Month. Good things are happening. I'm seeing more and more victims of crime getting involved and demanding their rights in the Judicial System. We are standing strong to assure victims have a voice in the court room.
If you are having problems being notified regarding court hearings, plea deals, etc, contact me. I will help you through it. Remember you have the right to make a victim impact statement at sentencing. Many people and organizations are available to help. Check my site for your victims rights in your State. I'm always here if you need assistance or guidance.

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